Plymouth community donates to Texas to Hurricane Harvey relief

Emily Clark eclark@wickedlocal.com @emilyOCM

Wednesday

Sep 6, 2017 at 6:00 AM

Plymouth churches, businesses and individuals have stepped up to the plate to help in the relief effort to Texas, grappling with the aftermath of what has been classified as the wettest tropical storm America has ever endured.

PLYMOUTH — Plymouth churches, businesses and individuals have stepped up to help in the relief effort to Texas, grappling with the aftermath of what has been classified as the wettest tropical storm America has ever endured.

Plymouth residents and business professionals haunted by footage and heart breaking news reports of Hurricane Harvey’s impact on Texas prompted many to volunteer time, provisions and needed food to the effort.

This past weekend, New Hope Chapel, at 89 Court St., accepted donations of nonperishable food items and hygiene products for victims of the storm, filling a massive freight truck with donations. Plymouth businesses and residents donated everything from bottled water to peanut butter, toothpaste and sunblock, packing the truck, which was driven by New Hope parishioners. The truck arrived in Houston Monday evening.

Among the donors were Plymouth business owners of Special Occasion Limousine & Coach, Plymouth Fireplace, Shaughnessy Rental, Glynn Electric, Clay Chick and Kingstown Trucking. Blush Color Studio of Marshfield and Friends of the Homeless of the South Shore of Weymouth also helped tremendously.

“The response has been unbelievable,” New Hope Senior Pastor Neil Eaton said. “Local business owners have jumped right in with large donations and they’re challenging fellow business owners to match it. And it’s not just members of the church.”

And while New Hope parishioners were filling a 53-foot truck with provisions, others, like Neda Reed of Plymouth were packing their vehicles in anticipation of a possible drive to Houston. Determined to be of assistance, she said she’s working with her daughter’s school, Sacred Heart, on a plan to help.

Artist Mary Johannesen said her daughter, Erica, works as an optician at Dr. Joseph Grant’s office on Samoset Street, and he has OK’d her request to collect and send eyeglasses to Houston flood victims. Eyeglass donations are being accepted at his office.

“People are stepping up from all over asking, ‘What can I give?’” Eaton said. “It’s truly awesome to see a community answering the call to help those in great need.”